Blending station apparatus and method for using the same

ABSTRACT

A blending method is described for preparing a blended mixture. The blending method for preparing a blended mixture, the method includes: providing a control system having at least a processor, a computer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memory contains software configured to receive a formula defining instructions for preparing a blended mixture using one or more blending materials and amounts for producing a batch size of the blended mixture on a scale; monitoring a weight on the scale as blending materials are added to a receptacle on the scale, both individually and in total; indicating on the display the amounts of the blending materials that have been added to the scale, both individually and in total, to prepare an amount of a custom blended mixture based upon the selected blending materials; determining an end weight of the custom blended mixture after a user has used the custom blended mixture; and recalculating a needed amount of the custom blended mixture by subtracting the end weight of the custom blended mixture from the prepared amount of the custom blended mixture.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/463,482 filed Mar. 20, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/893,155 filed May 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,623,388 issued Apr. 18, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/986,448 filed Jan. 7, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,567,455 issued Oct. 29, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/849,427 filed Aug. 3, 2010, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,393,363 issued Mar. 12, 2013, which is continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/396,050 filed Mar. 2, 2009, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,963,303 issued Jun. 21, 2011, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/033,053 filed Mar. 3, 2008 and U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/115,960 filed Nov. 19, 2008; all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to a blending station apparatus, or moreparticularly to a computer-driven, semi-automatic or manual apparatusfor mixing components to produce a desired mixture thereof.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure can be used in various fields and have variousapplications. In one such field, namely, cosmetics and hair dyepreparations, the current field packages hair dyes in small tubes andbottles. They further provide a salon with a recipe chart that shows howmuch of ingredient “A” is to be mixed with how much of ingredients “B”and “C” and “D” to produce the desired end color. To produce the desiredcolor, the colorist must first locate the required ingredients. This canbe a challenge unto itself at a busy salon with multiple colorists. Inaddition, with as many as 60+ ingredients per colorant line, using thecorrect materials is very important. The next step is to squeeze or pourthe approximate amounts of each ingredient into a mixing bowl. Coarsemeasurement devices and techniques are currently used, so it is aprocess with very little control over the end product. This currentmethod employed by most salons lacks precision and control and does notensure correct results. Stock color recipes are listed on a color chartprovided by the colorant manufacturer. Color formulations are oftenadjusted to suit a particular customer's needs. These custom colors aretypically recorded on 3×5 cards or other manually prepared means andfiled away for future reference. The drawbacks to this approach include:inaccurate volumetric means (“ . . . add ½ capful . . . ” “Squeeze tubeto line . . . ”); end results are highly dependent on operator skilllevel; no controls are available to monitor outcomes; and customerrecords are hand-written with no backup. This creates a cluttered anddisorganized process devoid of accurate measurement.

Fully-automatic dispensers designed for hair coloring materials wereintroduced in the 1990's to address the weaknesses of the currenthand-mixing process. These dispensers automatically measured the correctamount of each ingredient with great precision and a software databasestored the stock color recipes as well as specially created blends.Since the formulation and customer information were storedelectronically, locating the required information was quick and easy.Files could also be backed up so valuable customer history data was moresecure and easily shared with other locations. However, the earlierdispensers required specially designed internal storage bags for thevarious color components. The bags typically held one quart and werespecially constructed to eliminate the possibility of air infiltration,which would oxidize and ruin the dye. Bulk packaging required less usermaintenance by salon personnel, but required manufacturers to incursizeable capital costs to add additional filling lines at great cost tothe manufacturer to accommodate the special bags. Major drawbacks of thefully automatic offerings included their high cost, complexity with highmaintenance requirements, and they were costly for hair color producersto adopt due to specialized packaging requirements. Therefore, there isa need for a process which is a simpler, more cost-effective approachand which eliminates the drawbacks of earlier designs.

As seen for this one example, a number of other fields and applicationsface similar problems. When a person needs to blend or mix a number ofcomponents, the need to eliminate waste, create a cost-effectiveapproach to aid the user, and provide the mechanism is which the mixturecan be continuously created in a manner that mimics as close as possibleto obtain the desired mixture is highly desired. There is a need toprovide a monitorial approach, coupled with accurate measurement meansto eliminate the potential for error and improve the overall accuracy.Optional features include product receptacles or drawers that can belocked and unlocked, to reduce theft and clutter, more easily locate therequired ingredients, and to help manage inventory. Other optionsinclude the automatic metering of the most commonly used ingredients toaccelerate the mixing process.

SUMMARY

One or more of the embodiments in the blending system aims to bringcontrol to an otherwise uncontrolled process at a substantial reductionof cost. In one embodiment, the blending system includes a controlsystem having at least a processor, a computer-readable memory, and adisplay, wherein the memory contains software configured to receive aformula defining instructions for preparing a blended mixture using oneor more blending materials and amounts for the blended mixture using ascale. The blending system further includes management software storedin the computer-readable memory and executed by the control system, thesoftware in communication with the control system to exchangeinformation on customers and formulas for blended mixtures associatedwith the customers. Additionally, the control system includes softwareconfigured to calculate information associated with the one or moreblending materials and the blended mixture when input is received by thecontrol system and displays the calculated information associated withthe one or more blending materials and the blended mixture on thedisplay.

Some blending systems include (or interface with) a control system, aprecision scale, a computer-based recipe management system, optionalstorage to manage and protect blending ingredients, and optional locksto minimize theft. The blending station may include (or interface with)a keyboard, LCD screen, and an electronic scale to provide feedback onexactly how much of each ingredient has actually been added to thebatch.

In one embodiment of the blending system, a system is provided for thepreparation of blended mixtures, such as but not limited to hair colormixtures, personal care product mixtures, and the like. The systemincludes a computer control system having at least a memory, inputcontrols, and a display, the memory having the capacity to store and/orstoring at least one mixture formulated from the mixing of one or morecomponents, such as but not limited to blending materials. The systemmay also interface with a scale connected to the control system, wherethe control system monitors a weight on the scale and providesinformation on changes thereto. In addition, the computer control systemupon receiving an input for a creation of a mixture, displays aformulation of the mixture indicating the components and amounts neededto create the desired mixture.

In another aspect of one embodiment, there is provided a computercontrol system which monitors changes in the weight of the scale andadjusts the formulation when a weight of a component added to themixture is different than a recommended formulated amount and thecomputer control system receives an input to accept the different weightof the component. The computer control system may also monitor changesin the weight on the scale and display information, which may be relatedto a recommended formulated amount of a component and/or an amount ofthe component actually added to the scale.

The computer control system may also be linked to management software toexchange information on customers and formulations of mixturesassociated with the customers. The computer control system may store anychanges in the formulation of the mixture in memory. The computercontrol system may also store in memory, any changes in the formulationof the mixture and send the changes in the formulation of the mixture tothe management software. Yet in other aspects, the control system mayadjust the formulation of a mixture upon receiving an input on a totalamount of mixture required or a strength of the mixture. Furtherembodiments provide for receiving an input that the mixture is a customblended mixture. The control system may further display a listing ofcomponents and blending materials, illuminate indicator(s) forparticular selected component(s), monitor a separate amount and a totalamount of the components placed in a bowl or other container, and storea blended mixture upon receiving an input the mixture is completed.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the blended system, the operatorenters the customer name into the management system and the computerscreen displays the customer's history. If this is a new customer, ahistory file is created. The operator may select desired components froma palette chart, recipe book, customer history file, or otherappropriate source, and enters the required amount of finishedcomponents. A validation system can also be used to control theingredient solution and control process. A batch record may be placed inthe customer's history file.

A blending method for preparing a blended mixture may be summarized asincluding providing a control system having at least a processor, acomputer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memory containssoftware configured to receive a formula defining instructions forpreparing a blended mixture using one or more blending materials andamounts for producing a batch size of the blended mixture on a scale;accessing custom blending software stored in the computer-readablememory and executed by the control system, wherein upon receiving inputprompting creation of a custom blended mixture, the custom blendingsoftware further prompts a user to select or enter one or more blendingmaterials; monitoring a weight on the scale as blending materials areadded to a receptacle on the scale, both individually and in total;indicating on the display the amounts of the blending materials thathave been added to the scale, both individually and in total, to preparean amount of a custom blended mixture based upon the selected blendingmaterials; determining an end weight of the custom blended mixture aftera user has used the custom blended mixture; and recalculating a neededamount of the custom blended mixture by subtracting the end weight ofthe custom blended mixture from the prepared amount of the customblended mixture.

The method may further include storing adjustments to the formula of thestored blended mixture in the memory. The method may further includerecalculating the formula of a blended mixture upon receiving a changeto a total amount of the blended mixture needed or a change to astrength of the blended mixture needed. The method may further includevalidating the blending materials being adding to the receptacle bycomparing a manufacturer's product packaging being used against theblending materials in the formula to ensure and validate accurateproduction of the blended mixture, wherein the manufacturer's productpackaging being used is current product packaging that does not havespecialized packaging requirements.

The method may further include scanning, using a barcode scanner inconnection with validation software, one or more barcodes positioned onproduct packaging to validate that the scanned manufacturer's productpackaging is current product packaging that does not have specializedpackaging requirements. The method may further include receivinginformation, using a RFID reader, from one or more RFID tags positionedon product packaging to validate that a manufacturer's product packagingis current product packaging that does not have specialized packagingrequirements. The blended mixture may be selected from a groupconsisting of dyes, colorants, activators, base ingredients, additives,personal care product mixtures, beauty products, foods, and combinationsthereof.

A blending method for preparing a blended mixture may be summarized asincluding providing a control system having at least a processor, acomputer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memory containssoftware configured to receive a formula defining instructions forpreparing a blended mixture using one or more blending materials andamounts for the blended mixture using a scale; monitoring a weight onthe scale, using the control system, as blending materials are added toa receptacle on the scale, both individually and in total; indicating onthe display the amounts of the blending materials that have been addedto the scale, both individually and in total, wherein the indicatedamounts of the blending materials are presented as a representation ofan amount of one or more of the blending materials from the blendedmixture being added to the scale determining an end weight of the customblended mixture after a user has used the custom blended mixture, andrecalculating a needed amount of the custom blended mixture bysubtracting the end weight of the custom blended mixture from theprepared amount of the custom blended mixture. The representation may bea graph. The representation may be one of the following: a bar-graph, aline graph, a circular graph, and a pictorial graph, and therepresentation is either color coded or gradation coded. The blendedmixture may be selected from a group consisting of dyes, colorants,activators, base ingredients, additives, personal care product mixtures,beauty products, foods, and combinations thereof.

A blending method for preparing a blended mixture may be summarized asincluding providing a control system having at least a processor, acomputer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memory containssoftware configured to receive a formula defining instructions forpreparing a blended mixture using one or more blending materials andamounts for the blended mixture using a scale; accessing managementsoftware stored in the computer-readable memory and executed by thecontrol system, the management software in communication with thecontrol system to exchange information on customers and formulas forblended mixtures associated with the customers; monitoring a weight onthe scale as blending materials are added to a receptacle on the scale,both individually and in total; indicating on the display the amounts ofthe blending materials that have been added to the scale, bothindividually and in total, to prepare an amount of a custom blendedmixture based upon the selected blending materials; determining an endweight of the custom blended mixture after a user has used the customblended mixture; and recalculating a needed amount of the custom blendedmixture by subtracting the end weight of the custom blended mixture fromthe prepared amount of the custom blended mixture.

The method may further include providing an input control device incommunication with the control system. The method may further includemonitoring a weight on the scale. The control system may recalibrate thescale to a zero weight, adjusted for the weight of a receptacle, whenthe control system receives an input indicating that a previous blendingcomponent added to the blended mixture is completed and the nextblending component in the blended mixture is to be added. The blendedmixture may be selected from a group consisting of dyes, colorants,activators, base ingredients, additives, personal care product mixtures,beauty products, foods, and combinations thereof.

A blending method for preparing a blended mixture may be summarized asincluding providing a control system having at least a processor, acomputer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memory containssoftware configured to receive a formula defining instructions forpreparing a blended mixture using one or more blending materials andamounts for the blended mixture using a scale; and monitoring a weighton the scale as blending materials are added to a receptacle on thescale, both individually and in total; indicating on the display theamounts of the blending materials that have been added to the scale,both individually and in total; determining an end weight of the customblended mixture after a user has used the custom blended mixture;recalculating a needed amount of the custom blended mixture bysubtracting the end weight of the custom blended mixture from theprepared amount of the custom blended mixture; and storing a finalamount used of each of the blending materials.

The method may further include tracking inventory of the one or moreblending materials by reducing a current inventory level of each of theblending materials by the final amount used of each of the blendingmaterials. The method may further include adjusting inventory levels ofthe one or more blending materials by increasing the current inventorylevels by an amount received during a new shipment. The method mayfurther include comparing inventory levels of the one or more blendingmaterials received during a new shipment against a purchase order. Themethod may further include adjusting inventory levels by decreasing thecurrent inventory level by an amount lost or spoiled. The method mayfurther include monitoring a final amount used of each of the one ormore blending materials; and determining a cost of each of the one ormore blending materials used during preparation, wherein a final cost ofthe blended mixture is calculated.

The method may further include storing information in the memory, usinghistory tracking software, the final amount used and final cost of theblending materials used in the preparation of the blended mixture. Themethod may further include storing information in the memory, usinghistory tracking software, on a customer and an operator correspondingto the final amount used and final cost of the blending materials usedin the preparation of the blended mixture. The method may furtherinclude creating a report based on the final amount used of the blendingmaterials for a specified time period. The method may further includecreating a report based on the final cost of the blending materials fora specified time period. The method may further include creating areport based on an average total cost per treatment by customer.

The method may further include creating a report based on an operatorand an associated total use and/or total cost of the blending materialsfor a specified time period. The blended mixture may be selected from agroup consisting of dyes, colorants, activators, base ingredients,additives, personal care product mixtures, beauty products, foods, andcombinations thereof. The method may further include creating reports,using the control system, including information selected from one ormore of specified time periods, usage, cost, operator, client, color,salon, chain of salons, manufacturer, product, product line, chair orbooth renter, final usage, customer information, and average cost perclient per treatment. The method may further include creating reportsincluding information selected from two or more of specified timeperiods, usage, cost, operator, client, color, salon, chain of salons,manufacturer, product, product line, chair or booth renter, final usage,customer information, and average cost per client per treatment. Theblended mixture may be selected from a group consisting of dyes,colorants, activators, base ingredients, additives, personal careproduct mixtures, beauty products, foods, and combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system designedto control a manual process for mixing components, which includes amixing station and optional storage receptacles;

FIG. 1B is a first and cross-sectional view of the embodiment from FIG.1A;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a receptacle from FIG. 1A showing storageareas for the components;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system designed tocontrol a manual process for mixing components, illustrating the use ona pedestal;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system designed tocontrol a manual process for mixing components, illustrating the use ofcurved receptacle storage areas;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system designed tocontrol a manual process for mixing components, illustrating the use ofreceptacles with a change in the LED indicators;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a receptacle from FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system designed tocontrol a manual process for mixing components, illustrating the use ofslotted tubes as opposed to receptacles;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system designed tocontrol a manual process for mixing components, illustrating the use ofslotted tubes as opposed to receptacles;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the slotted tubes from FIG. 7 or FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system designedto control a manual process for mixing components;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a barcode scanner used in one or moreof the system embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system designedto control a manual process for mixing components, illustrating amodular system with at least detached storage receptacles;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the creation of a new hair dyeformula;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the creation of a custom color;and

FIG. 15 is a system illustration showing various software components andtheir relationship to the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

While the blending system is susceptible to embodiments in manydifferent forms, there are shown in the drawings and will describedherein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the blending system. Itshould be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to beconsidered an exemplification of the principles of the blending systemand is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the blending system,claims and/or embodiments illustrated.

In a first embodiment of the blending system, there is shown anddescribed a system designed to control a manual process for mixingcomponents and which brings control to an otherwise un-controlledprocess. The components can be various ingredients to a mixture, such asin but a few examples, dyes used for blending hair dye mixtures,components used for blending personal beauty products, foods, and thelike. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the system, generally referenced asnumber 100. The system 100 includes organized storage of the components110 (such as in one example, color blending ingredients), acomputer-based recipe management system 120, and a small electronicscale 130 to monitor the mixing or blending process. In someembodiments, the blending system may include a pump 140 to add thecommon activators or ingredients, such as peroxides.

As shown in FIGS. 1-13, a number of different embodiments of the system100 are illustrated. Each system 100 contains a number of drawers orreceptacles 200 to organize and store the individual components, such asblending dye containers/tubes 205. Each receptacle/drawer 200 has anassociated LED or other indicator 210 driven by the control system 220.A small digital scale 130 is electrically connected to the controlsystem 220 to help provide feedback to the control system 220 on exactlyhow much of a given ingredient or activator was added to the mixturebatch.

While not necessarily the preferred embodiment, it is possible toinclude several small reservoirs 225 of common ingredients, such as,bases and additives are stored within a center storage area 230. Thereservoirs 225 are coupled with metering pumps 235 to measure the commoningredients which eject from nozzles 237 into a mixture batch. Pumpingchannels 240 are also automatically controlled by the control system220. As illustrated, the common ingredients are either manually added orin the case of the above pumping system automatically pumped into amixing bowl 245.

One embodiment of the blending system would be as follows:

(a) an operator enters/views the customer name or other identifyingcharacteristic into the control system 220 via an integral keyboard 250or touchpad and display panel 255;

(b) the control system 220 has a memory storing customer informationand/or history of the customer's mixture, such as a specific orpredefined color scheme; the control system similarly allows editing,adding, and deleting of customer information or formula;

(c) the operator may either select a previously stored desired finishedmixture or dye color from the customer history, or from an availablelist of known mixtures or formulate a new formula;

(d) the operator is then prompted to enter the required amount offinished product (for example whether the operator needs 1 ounce, 2ounces, etc.);

(d) the operator is instructed to place an empty batch container ormixing bowl 245 on the scale 130;

(e) the control system 220 will then illuminate or activate an LED orother type indicator 210 adjacent to a corresponding receptacle/drawerprompting the operator to select the specific component needed for themixture; optionally the control system may control locking mechanisms onthe receptacles to electronically open/close or lock/unlock the desiredstorage receptacle;

(f) the operator manually adds the amount of component that is indicatedon the display panel 255 to the bowl 245; while the amount is beingadded, the computer system 220 monitors the scale 130 to determineexactly how much has been added; the display panel 255 indicates howclose the addition is to the target weight by displaying how much moremust be added, and provides feedback to the operator;

(g) after returning the component and closing the designated storagedrawer/receptacle, the operator presses “next” (or any key specified bythe computer system), and the next receptacle LED or other indicator isactivated or illuminated along with the required amount of the nextcomponent or ingredient;

(h) steps (f) and (g) are repeated until all of the required componentsor color ingredients and activators have been added;

(i) once the batch has been completed, the precise amount of allingredients are recorded into the customer's history file.

Had this been a custom blended mixture, a separate software functionwould be selected. Under this function, the operator would tell thesystem which ingredients were being added or deleted, and the systemwould record the exact amount of each addition or deletion via theintegrated scale. When the batch was complete, a record of the customblend would be stored in the customer's history file.

It is herein noted that any type of computer control system having amemory storage area, processor to run various programs, and othercomponents well known in the computer industry can be used by theembodiments herein. The control system can be wired or wirelesslycommunicating with the plurality of storage receptacles to control theLED or other indicators 210 or other lighting, electronic locks,opening/closing and/or sound elements to help identify the specificreceptacle(s) the operator will be using and the required amount to bemanually dispensed to the bowl 245 to mix the specific components.Further, the control system is wired or wirelessly communicating withthe electronic scale 130 and the monitor 255 to identify and display tothe operator how much of a specific amount of component needs to beadded into the bowl 245.

On return visits, information stored would be available to preciselyre-create the mixture. This concept revolutionizes the way a mixture isproduced, and especially when applied to the salons. It replaces amessy, uncontrolled mixing process with an easy-to-use, guided processto produce the exact mixture (such as an exact color of hair dye) timeafter time.

The systems can be designed in various manners. For example asillustrated in FIG. 1, the system is a counter-top model, while FIG. 3shows a freestanding model 270 with a stand 275 so the system can standon the floor. FIG. 4 shows a corner top model 280 with storagereceptacle areas 285 that have curved sections 290. In FIGS. 5-6 analternative system 300 is shown with receptacles 305 that include LEDindicators 310 on the bottom of each receptacle (as opposed to in thecenter, shown in the previous embodiments). In addition, in eachembodiment the storage receptacles can be an optional piece to thesystem.

In FIGS. 7-9, a system 400 is shown that includes the same componentsand functionality as the previous embodiments, except the receptaclesare replaced with opened drawer structures 405 that are secured intoopenings 410 on the side storage areas 415. The ends 420 of the tubeswould include an LED indicator 425 controlled by the control system 220.

The present embodiment has one or more of the following benefits overprior art systems: it eliminates mixing or blending errors; the systemensures accuracy; the simple, manual controlled process produces perfectresults regardless of skill level or experience; the system maintainscustomer histories, so customer formulations can be precisely repeatedtime after time; using the system, even custom formulation is recordedfor future reference; the system makes control independent of theoperator, so should a colorist leave a salon, the exact color can berecreated; giving the salon greater control over its individualrequests; the scale coupled to the control software can correct forover-dispensed ingredients preventing wasted materials and off-shades;the system is compatible with current manufacturing processes andproduct packaging; the system brings tidiness and organization to anotherwise very messy process and would save counter space; and thecontrol software can track material usage to help eliminate shrinkageand provides a tool to estimate future needs.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 through 12, in another aspect of the blendingsystem, the control system would control the display to indicate aremaining weight required during the manual dispensing of the component.As the component is being added to the bowl 245, the display 255indicates how much of the component needs to be added, by counting up ordown to the target weight. Various kinds of analog indicators can bedisplayed to more effectively communicate the remaining material to beadded. When the operator presses “next” on the system, the system wouldilluminate the next LED and also recalibrate the scale to zero andindicate to the operator how much of the next component needs to beadded. Again, as the operator adds the next component, the system leadsthe operator through the blending process.

An optional barcode scanner 450 could be provided to verify the correctcomponent SKU prior to use. The barcode scanner may also help keep trackof the product and make sure the operator is using the correct product.For example, if the system identifies a particular product in aparticular receptacle, the operator after retrieving the product wouldscan the product. The system would check to make sure the actual productscanned is the correct product identified by the system for use. Othertypes of scanning equipment may be employed such as RFID scanners.

In other aspects of the blending system, the system 475 may haveseparate receptacle storage areas 480, shown in FIG. 12, as a moremodular system setup. The separate storage areas 480 and the mainconsole area 475 would communicate either wirelessly or through wiredconnections. This would allow the main console 475 to communicate anddirect the receptacle storage areas 480 to turn on and off the LED orother indicators 485, in order to illustrate which receptacle toretrieve the required components 490; and keep track of the quantitiesof components for re-ordering purposes. In addition, it would thus bepossible to just use the main console without the storage receptacles.

In another embodiment of the blending system, the system 100 may be usedin conjunction with a management software package. The elements of abasic management package would be shared by the system applicationincluding the ability to access and share customer data, customerhistory, and inventory data.

Most available management software packages maintain basic customer datasuch as name, telephone number, email address, etc. History data wouldinclude service date, services provided, user, notes and perhapsphotographs. Many of the management software packages use text fieldsfor notes, which is the only provision to store recipe data. The systemwill maintain a separate dispense history file, but will be capable ofsharing this information with the management software packages forinclusion with customer history records. In addition; as many managementsoftware packages have inventory modules, product usage would need to bereported.

Referring now generally to FIGS. 13 and 14, one or more of the presentembodiments will be referenced in the given flow diagrams to illustratevarious inputs and outputs from a given system.

In use with one or more of the present embodiments and an availablemanagement software, operation of the system could typically follow inthe following steps:

(a) an operator enters the customer name or other identifyingcharacteristic (i.e., telephone number, etc.) into the control system,BOX 500;

(b) the control system would display the customer's history information;However, if this is a new customer (BOX 505), the control system wouldpermit the operator to create a new history file (BOX 510);

(c) the operator then selects desired components, BOX 515, from anavailable chart or palette which is stored within a formulation database(BOX 520) (if the management software packages has a chart or palettedatabase, the control system would be linked to it so the chart orpalette could be read and interpreted by the control system;

(d) the system then prompts for the required amount or size of finishedcomponent;

(e) the system may then prompt for an activator strength;

(f) the stock color recipe is mathematically scaled for the desiredbatch size and the selected activator strength is displayed, BOX 525;

(g) the operator is prompted to place an empty mixing bowl on the scale;

The system will compare actual weight of the bowl against a target rangevalue—this range of values is to be user definable. If the set range is0 to 0, the no validation will occur. The control system will contain amaximum weight for the mixing bowl to allow sufficient fluid capacityand stay below the maximum scale capacity. For example, if the maximumscale capacity is 1,200 grams, and the batch size calls for 600 grams ofdye components, then the maximum possible weight of the mixing bowlwould be 600 grams. However, to allow for batch correction capability,the calculation should assume a 50% dye component weight variation(i.e., of 600 grams, plus variation=900 grams leaving a maximum bowlweight of 300 grams) Enforcing a maximum bowl value ensures sufficientscale capacity for color mixing.

(h) if the correct bowl weight value is achieved, the control systemwill prompt for the first component, BOX 530.

If no validation is to be made, or the value is outside of the range, acontrol system will cause a message to be displayed, and the operatorwill be prompted to proceed or cancel. If the bowl is above the maximumallowable, a caution message should be displayed.

(i) as the first component is prompted, an LED adjacent to thecorresponding receptacle/drawer is illuminated so the operator canquickly locate the desired ingredient (for systems with optional storagesystem);

(j) if door locks have been included, an unlocking signal is provided tothe corresponding solenoid. For reference, this optional feature wouldonly allow drawers which were un-locked by the system to be opened. Thisprovides two features: (a) prevent inventory theft and/or (b) force theoperator to use the system—operators can't get inventory otherwise.

This ensures that all transactions are recorded and properly accountedfor in the system's history files. Similarly, the system could actuallyopen and or close the receptacles; or lock and unlock thedrawers/receptacles with appropriate hardware and mechanics, all ofwhich are known;

(k) the weight of the mixing bowl is internally recorded for use inmeasurement calculation, and a digital value of 0.0 grams is displayedto indicate the amount of ingredient 1 that has been added;

(l) the operator manually adds the amount indicated on the displaypanel, while the scale monitors exactly how much has been added andprovides user feedback via the analog and/or digital indicators, BOX 535

(m) a color-coded analog bar-graph scale is displayed that shows theprogress of the first component being added. As material is added, theanalog bar-graph scale changes color from green to yellow, to orange andfinally to red. Green being the starting point, yellow to indicate theoperator is nearing the target weight, orange is very close, and redmeaning stop;

(n) the control system will compare the actual dispensed amount toestablish accuracy standards. When the calculated minimum amount of aningredient has been reached, the ingredient will be considered completeand the analog display will turn red. If the volume added is greaterthan the maximum allowed value, the user will be prompted to “accept”,or “correct” the batch. If “correct” is selected, the total batch volumewill be recalculated based on the amount of the discrepancy, BOX 540.All corresponding weights will be increased accordingly. If otheringredients had been added to the batch prior to the over-dispense, thesystem will automatically prompt the operator to add additional amountsof these ingredients as required. When the correct add has beencompleted, the operator is prompted to return the component to thestorage receptacle/drawer (if applicable) and to close the drawer inorder to continue.

(o) the control system would then prompt the operator to the secondcomponent by illuminating the LED adjacent to the correspondingreceptacle/drawer. Similarly, if door locks have been included, anunlocking signal is provided to the corresponding solenoid.

(p) the current weight of the mixing bowl is internally recorded for usein measurement calculation, and a digital value of 0.0 grams isdisplayed to indicate the amount of ingredient 2 that has been added.The operator repeats steps (i) through (n) for all manually weighedingredients (BOX 545).

(q) if the system is equipped with “automatic additive dispensing” thecontrol system will automatically dispense the desired activator or baseingredients. The dispensing function is performed gravimetrically (usingthe scale). If more than one ingredient is to be added, they will bedispensed sequentially. Without automatic dispensing, the system wouldsimply prompt the user to add the appropriate activator or baseingredient and indicate the required amount as indicated in the previoussteps.

(r) when all ingredients have been added, the operator will be promptedto remove the mixing bowl (Box 550); a database record is created withthe precise amount of each ingredient dispensed and the record is storedin the history file (Box 555). A record containing the color name,amount, time and date is created and can be passed to the managementsoftware package in order for the management software package to attachthe information as a note to the custom record file.

(s) in addition, a record of the amount of each ingredient used will bemaintained in the control system for inventory tracking purposes. Theoperator will have the ability to query the control system to determinethe amount of each ingredient for a given time period. The system shouldalso be capable of passing usage values to the management softwarepackage if necessary.

In instances where the operator would be creating a new mixture for acustomer (FIG. 14), the operator would have the option to create a newfile (BOX 560), which would be selected to start the appropriatesoftware section of the control system. The operation would followsimilar steps to the above, except instead of notifying the operatorwhich component to use, the control system would prompt the operator toselect the first ingredient from an on-screen list of availablecomponents, such as listing available colors and/or additives (BOX 565).After the selection is made, an LED or other indicator adjacent to thecorresponding receptacle is illuminated to provide the operator with anidentification of where the component can be located (BOX 570). Ifdoor/drawer locks have been included, an unlocking signal is provided tothe corresponding solenoid. After which locking signals, and even, ifdesired, opening and closing signals, could be easily added.

The tare weight of the mixing bowl is internally recorded for use inmeasurement calculation, and a digital value of 0.0 grams is displayedto indicate the amount of the ingredient that has been added. Theoperator manually adds the desired amount of the first ingredient, whilethe corresponding reference weight is displayed (BOX 575). When theaddition is complete, the user selects “next.” The operator is promptedto return the component to the storage receptacle (if applicable) and to“Press any key to Continue.” (BOX 580). If door/drawer locks, the systemmay even automatically lock the drawer when the component is returnedand the drawer is closed or it may be manually closed by the operatorbefore the operator is permitted to proceed. The display would show thename of the first ingredient, and the amount added to the formula. Theoperator is prompted to select the second ingredient from an on-screenlist (BOX 585). If door/drawer locks have been included, an unlockingsignal is provided to the corresponding solenoid. The tare weight of themixing bowl is internally recorded for use in measurement calculation,and a digital value of 0.0 grams is displayed to indicate the amount ofingredient 2 that has been added. The operator manually adds the desiredamount of the second ingredient, while the corresponding referenceweight is displayed. When the addition is complete, the user selects“next.” The display shows the names of the first two ingredients, andthe amount of each added to the formula. This would continue until allof the required ingredients have been added. When the last ingredienthas been added, the operator selects “done” (BOX 590). Upon completion,a total batch volume will be calculated based on the specific gravity ofthe individual ingredients. This value is stored for future reference topermit batch size scaling of the recipe. A database record is createdwith the precise amount of each ingredient dispensed and is stored inthe history file within the control system (BOX 595). A text recordcontaining the name, amount, time and date is created and passed to themanagement software package to be attached as a note to the customrecord file. A record of the amount of each ingredient used will bemaintained in the control system for inventory tracking purposes. Asimple query should be available to determine the amount of eachingredient for a given time period.

In addition, raw material inventory management functionality with andwithout the use of optional barcode equipment may be provided by one ormore of the present embodiments. Barcode scanning devices simplifyinventory management functions. By using an attached barcode scanner,mixing ingredients can be easily identified for inventory trackingpurposes. The functions could be two-fold. One, an on-hand inventorycould be established by scanning all available product inventory items.When new shipments are received, they too could be scanned, therebyeasily adding them to the on-hand inventory. Secondly, when systems areequipped with the optional storage receptacles, scanning the componentcould also be used to illuminate the appropriate lamp, or unlock thecorresponding door. This functionality will help to ensure that thematerials are properly stored and further minimizes the potential forselecting the wrong material during subsequent mixing operations.

In the case of a salon, the system may also track operators' use of thesystem, which allows cost reporting by employee. It would alsoaccurately track third-party billing for “chair rental” environments. Inmany salons, some of the stylists are not direct employees, but ratherrent a chair from the salon owner. Sometimes a stylist renting a chairprovides their own materials, such as hair color, and some utilizematerials from the salon. Since the system would know the exact amountof each ingredient included in a blend, it has the ability to establishthe exact material cost for each batch. This data can be used to betterunderstand service costs and can also be used to provide billing datafor “rental chair” staff.

In additional embodiments, the system can be provided with the abilityto help eliminate waste. In salons, the user or stylists typically mixmore than the required amount of components for their clients. Thereasons are twofold: (a) current volumetric measurement systems do notallow for scaled-down batches, and (b) it is difficult to estimate theactual amount of components or color required and they do not want torun out mid-application. One improved feature would allow the user orstylist to return the mixing bowl to the scale after finishing with theclient. Since the weight of the bowl at the end of the mixing step wasknown when the mixture was produced, the system can subtract thereturned bowl weight from the final weight. It is then possible for thesystem to know the amount of mixture actually used by the user orstylist during application. The client's master formula can then beadjusted to the actual amount used and if necessary an additional amountcan be added for a defined safely factor, such as a 5% or 10%. Onsubsequent client visits, the re-scaled master formula, combined withthe precision measurement capabilities of the system virtuallyeliminates product waste.

In one embodiment, there is provided a system for recalculating aformula previously used in preparing a mixture made from adding at leasttwo components. The system includes a control apparatus and a scale. Thecontrol apparatus has a memory (permanent and/or temporary), inputcontrols, and a display, the memory being used to store a mixtureformulated from mixing at least two components. The scale is incommunication with the control apparatus. The control apparatus monitorsa weight on the scale, such that a final weight of the mixturepreviously prepared from mixing at least two components is stored on thememory. In this embodiment, when an end weight of the mixture, definedto be the final weight of the mixture previously prepared minus anamount used by a user, is positioned on the scale and when the controlapparatus receives a recalculation signal, the control apparatuscalculates the amount used, recalculates the mixture based on the amountused, and stores a new mixture for subsequent use. This helps reduce andeliminate extra waste.

This system embodiment can further be defined as a method forrecalculating a formula. The method would provide a first step ofproviding a control apparatus having at least a memory, input controls,and a display, wherein the memory stores a mixture formulated frommixing at least two components. The next step would be providing a scalein communication with the control apparatus, such that the method storeson the memory a final weight of a mixture previously prepared frommixing at least two components. After use, the user would weigh on thescale an end weight of the mixture. The end weight of the mixture isdefined as the final weight of the mixture previously prepared minus anamount used by a user. Finally, the method recalculates the formula ofthe mixture based on the end weight of the mixture against the finalweight of the mixture and stores the recalculated formula on the memoryof the control apparatus.

In an additional embodiment, there is provided a system for preparing amixture. The system includes a control apparatus having at least amemory, input controls, and a display. The memory has the capacity tostore at least one mixture formulated from mixing of one or morecomponents based on recommended formulated amounts of the one or morecomponents. In communication with the control apparatus is a scalemonitored by the control apparatus for changes of a weight on the scale.The control apparatus, upon receiving an input for a creation of amixture, will display a formulation of the mixture indicating thecomponent(s) and amount(s) needed to create the mixture, and the controlapparatus will further monitor changes in the weight of the scale,wherein the control apparatus will adjust the formulation when a weightof a component added to the mixture is different than the recommendedformulated amount.

In yet another embodiment of the blending system, there is provided asystem for manual storage and mixing components to provide an operatorthe ability to create a mixture. The system is defined to include aplurality of storage receptacles, each receptacle holding at least onecomponent and each receptacle in communication with a control apparatus.The control apparatus has at least a memory, input controls, and adisplay. The system improvement includes: (a) the memory having thecapacity to store and/or storing at least one formulated mixture, whichlists the component(s) and amount(s) thereof; (b) the control apparatusupon receiving an input for a creation of a mixture displays theformulated mixture indicating the component(s) and amount(s) needed tocreate the mixture; and (c) an electronic locking mechanism positionedat each storage receptacle, wherein the control apparatus upon receivingthe input for the creation of the mixture is capable of sending a signalto the electronic locking mechanism to lock and/or unlock one or morereceptacles relative to the component(s) being held therein to createthe mixture.

Alternatively, each receptacle may have an opening position and aclosing position. In this instance, each receptacle having theelectronic mechanism positioned at each storage receptacle is set toopen and/or close the storage receptacles. Therefore when the controlapparatus receives the input for the creation of the mixture it iscapable of sending a signal to the electronic locking mechanism to openand/or close one or more receptacles relative to the component(s) beingheld therein to create the mixture.

Referring now to FIG. 15, there is provided in various embodiments asystem 600 for manually preparing a hair dye mixture. The systemgenerally includes a control system having one or more of the followingelements: (a) a memory 602, (b) input controls 604, and/or (c) a display606. The system further includes at least one formula 608 stored in thememory 602. The formula defines instructions of one or more colorantsand/or dye blending materials and amounts recommended for manuallyrecreating a hair dye mixture. The system also includes a scale 610 incommunication (wireless or wired) with the control system.

The system in a first aspect of the various embodiments includessoftware 612 to permit the user to create a custom color. The customcolor software 612 upon receiving a manual input from the input controlfor a creation of a hair dye custom color mixture, will prompt a user toselect or enter one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials 614and monitors the scale for an amount corresponding to said one or morecolorants and/or dye blending materials 616. The custom color softwarewill create and store 618 a hair dye mixture formula based upon theselected or entered colorants and/or dye blending materials and thecorresponding amounts that were placed on the scale. Various otheraspects and uses of the custom color can be incorporated with theformula adjusting software used to adjust the formula of the hair dyemixture when a weight of a colorant or dye blending material beingmanually added to the scale is different than the amount recommended inthe formula.

In a second aspect of the various embodiments, the system includesvalidation software 520 to check a hair dye component package againstthe hair dye component(s) in the formula to ensure and validate a useris accurately manually recreating the hair dye mixture 622. Thevalidation software may be used in connection with a barcode scanner 624to scan the barcodes positioned on the component package or used inconnection with an RFID reader 626 to read information for an RFID tagpositioned on the component package.

In a third aspect of the various embodiments, the system includes salonmanagement software 630 in communication with to the control system toexchange information on customers and formulas of hair dye mixturesassociated to said customers 632. In this aspect the system could havethe input control and the display in communication with the controlsystem and software for displaying the instructions on said display inresponse to a manual input from the input controls and monitoringsoftware to monitor a weight on the scale 634. The monitoring softwareaids in monitoring changes in the weight on the scale such that thecontrol system is able to calculate a difference between a recommendedformulated amount of a colorant or dye blending material and an actualamount of the colorant or dye blending material added to the scale. Thisdifference can then be measured down to a zeroed amount, with anadjustment for the weight of a receptacle, such that the control systemis able to indicate how much additional colorant or dye blendingmaterial is needed to be added to the scale to reach the recommendedformulated amount of the colorant.

In a fourth aspect of the various embodiments, the system includesprogress control software 640 to indicate one or more of the colorant(s)and/or dye blending material(s) from the hair dye mixture being added toor removed from the scale. The progress control software can include ananalog display representation 642 of one or more of the colorant(s)and/or dye blending material(s) from the hair dye mixture, and thesoftware capable of changing the analog representation to indicate anamount being added to or removed from the scale. The analogrepresentation can be a graph, such as a bar-graph, circular, pictorial,or line graph and can be color coded or black/white, or gradation;alternatively it could use sound or other types of representations. Theprocess control software can also include the ability to replay audiblesounds 644 representing one or more of the colorant(s) and/or dyeblending materials from the hair dye mixture, and includes software toreplay audible sounds to indicate an amount being added to or removedfrom the scale.

In a fifth aspect of the various embodiments, the system includes atleast one set of customer information stored in said memory, such thatthe customer information 634 is associated with the at least oneformula. The system further includes software to update the at least oneset of customer information. And the system can be linked to the salonmanagement software to exchange customer information.

In a sixth aspect of the various embodiments, the system includessoftware to store in the memory a final amount used of each of the oneor more colorants and/or dye blending materials defined by the formula650. In this aspect the system may further include comparison software652 to track the inventory 654 of the one or more colorants and/or dyeblending materials by reducing a current inventory level of each of theone or more colorants and/or dye blending materials by the final amountused of each of the one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials.In addition, the comparison software can be used to track inventorylevels and reduce the current inventory level by an amount used duringthe manual preparation of a hair dye mixture, and/or increase thecurrent inventory level by an amount received during a new shipmentand/or to the actual purchase orders. Yet still, the amount reduced canfurther be allowed to track if a product is thrown out, spoiled, missingor otherwise needs to be reduced to ensure proper inventory levels. Yetas a further consideration, the amount used during the manualpreparation of the hair dye mixture is determined by the amount on thescale. This could also be used to compare different stylist'sperformances.

In a seventh aspect of the various embodiments, the control system hasstored in said memory current inventory levels for at least one or morecolorants and/or dye blending materials and the costs associated witheach one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials. The controlsystem further includes software to calculate the final cost 656 of ahair dye mixture by monitoring the manual preparation of the hair dyemixture including monitoring the scale for a final amount used of eachof the colorants and/or dye blending materials defined by the formula,allocate a cost of each of used during the manual preparation andcalculate the final cost by adding the individual costs. Once a finalusage and/or cost is determined, color usage and/or cost can be reportedby a control system's reporting software. The reporting software willfurther be capable of creating reports for specified time periods on thematerial usage and cost based by stylist, client, salon (when thesoftware are linked to other salons), manufacturer of a particularproduct or product line, and/or chair or booth renter. The reportingsoftware will further include components for determining average costsper client per treatment.

From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed thatnumerous variations and modifications may be effected without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the blending system.It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specificmethods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should beinferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications.

What is claimed:
 1. A blending method for preparing a blended mixture,the method comprising: providing a control system having at least aprocessor, a computer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memorycontains software configured to receive a formula defining instructionsfor preparing a blended mixture using one or more blending materials andamounts for producing a batch size of the blended mixture on a scale;accessing custom blending software stored in the computer-readablememory and executed by the control system, wherein upon receiving inputprompting creation of a custom blended mixture, the custom blendingsoftware further prompts a user to select or enter one or more blendingmaterials; monitoring a weight on the scale as blending materials areadded to a receptacle on the scale, both individually and in total;indicating on the display the amounts of the blending materials thathave been added to the scale, both individually and in total, to preparean amount of a custom blended mixture based upon the selected blendingmaterials; determining an end weight of the custom blended mixture aftera user has used the custom blended mixture; and recalculating a neededamount of the custom blended mixture by subtracting the end weight ofthe custom blended mixture from the prepared amount of the customblended mixture.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storingadjustments to the formula of the stored blended mixture in the memory.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: recalculating the formulaof a blended mixture upon receiving a change to a total amount of theblended mixture needed or a change to a strength of the blended mixtureneeded.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: validating theblending materials being adding to the receptacle by comparing amanufacturer's product packaging being used against the blendingmaterials in the formula to ensure and validate accurate production ofthe blended mixture, wherein the manufacturer's product packaging beingused is current product packaging that does not have specializedpackaging requirements.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:scanning, using a barcode scanner in connection with validationsoftware, one or more barcodes positioned on product packaging tovalidate that the scanned manufacturer's product packaging is currentproduct packaging that does not have specialized packaging requirements.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving information,using a RFID reader, from one or more RFID tags positioned on productpackaging to validate that a manufacturer's product packaging is currentproduct packaging that does not have specialized packaging requirements.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the blended mixture is selected from agroup consisting of dyes, colorants, activators, base ingredients,additives, personal care product mixtures, beauty products, foods, andcombinations thereof.
 8. A blending method for preparing a blendedmixture, the method comprising: providing a control system having atleast a processor, a computer-readable memory, and a display, whereinthe memory contains software configured to receive a formula defininginstructions for preparing a blended mixture using one or more blendingmaterials and amounts for the blended mixture using a scale; monitoringa weight on the scale, using the control system, as blending materialsare added to a receptacle on the scale, both individually and in total;indicating on the display the amounts of the blending materials thathave been added to the scale, both individually and in total, whereinthe indicated amounts of the blending materials are presented as arepresentation of an amount of one or more of the blending materialsfrom the blended mixture being added to the scale; determining an endweight of the custom blended mixture after a user has used the customblended mixture; and recalculating a needed amount of the custom blendedmixture by subtracting the end weight of the custom blended mixture fromthe prepared amount of the custom blended mixture.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the representation is a graph.
 10. The method of claim8, wherein the representation is one of the following: a bar-graph, aline graph, a circular graph, and a pictorial graph, and therepresentation is either color coded or gradation coded.
 11. The methodof claim 8, wherein the blended mixture is selected from a groupconsisting of dyes, colorants, activators, base ingredients, additives,personal care product mixtures, beauty products, foods, and combinationsthereof.
 12. A blending method for preparing a blended mixture, themethod comprising: providing a control system having at least aprocessor, a computer-readable memory, and a display, wherein the memorycontains software configured to receive a formula defining instructionsfor preparing a blended mixture using one or more blending materials andamounts for the blended mixture using a scale; accessing managementsoftware stored in the computer-readable memory and executed by thecontrol system, the management software in communication with thecontrol system to exchange information on customers and formulas forblended mixtures associated with the customers; monitoring a weight onthe scale as blending materials are added to a receptacle on the scale,both individually and in total; indicating on the display the amounts ofthe blending materials that have been added to the scale, bothindividually and in total, to prepare an amount of a custom blendedmixture based upon the selected blending materials; determining an endweight of the custom blended mixture after a user has used the customblended mixture; and recalculating a needed amount of the custom blendedmixture by subtracting the end weight of the custom blended mixture fromthe prepared amount of the custom blended mixture.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising providing an input control device incommunication with the control system.
 14. The method of claim 12,further comprising monitoring a weight on the scale.
 15. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the control system recalibrates the scale to a zeroweight, adjusted for the weight of a receptacle, when the control systemreceives an input indicating that a previous blending component added tothe blended mixture is completed and the next blending component in theblended mixture is to be added.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein theblended mixture is selected from a group consisting of dyes, colorants,activators, base ingredients, additives, personal care product mixtures,beauty products, foods, and combinations thereof.
 17. A blending methodfor preparing a blended mixture, the method comprising: providing acontrol system having at least a processor, a computer-readable memory,and a display, wherein the memory contains software configured toreceive a formula defining instructions for preparing a blended mixtureusing one or more blending materials and amounts for the blended mixtureusing a scale; and monitoring a weight on the scale as blendingmaterials are added to a receptacle on the scale, both individually andin total; indicating on the display the amounts of the blendingmaterials that have been added to the scale, both individually and intotal; determining an end weight of the custom blended mixture after auser has used the custom blended mixture; recalculating a needed amountof the custom blended mixture by subtracting the end weight of thecustom blended mixture from the prepared amount of the custom blendedmixture; and storing a final amount used of each of the blendingmaterials.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: trackinginventory of the one or more blending materials by reducing a currentinventory level of each of the blending materials by the final amountused of each of the blending materials.
 19. The method of claim 17,further comprising: adjusting inventory levels of the one or moreblending materials by increasing the current inventory levels by anamount received during a new shipment.
 20. The method of claim 17,further comprising: comparing inventory levels of the one or moreblending materials received during a new shipment against a purchaseorder.
 21. The method of claim 17, further comprising: adjustinginventory levels by decreasing the current inventory level by an amountlost or spoiled.
 22. The method of claim 17, further comprising:monitoring a final amount used of each of the one or more blendingmaterials; and determining a cost of each of the one or more blendingmaterials used during preparation, wherein a final cost of the blendedmixture is calculated.
 23. The method of claim 17, further comprising:storing information in the memory, using history tracking software, thefinal amount used and final cost of the blending materials used in thepreparation of the blended mixture.
 24. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: storing information in the memory, using history trackingsoftware, on a customer and an operator corresponding to the finalamount used and final cost of the blending materials used in thepreparation of the blended mixture.
 25. The method of claim 24, furthercomprising: creating a report based on the final amount used of theblending materials for a specified time period.
 26. The method of claim24, further comprising: creating a report based on the final cost of theblending materials for a specified time period.
 27. The method of claim24, further comprising: creating a report based on an average total costper treatment by customer.
 28. The method of claim 24, furthercomprising: creating a report based on an operator and an associatedtotal use and/or total cost of the blending materials for a specifiedtime period.
 29. The method of claim 17, wherein the blended mixture isselected from a group consisting of dyes, colorants, activators, baseingredients, additives, personal care product mixtures, beauty products,foods, and combinations thereof.
 30. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: creating reports, using the control system, includinginformation selected from one or more of specified time periods, usage,cost, operator, client, color, salon, chain of salons, manufacturer,product, product line, chair or booth renter, final usage, customerinformation, and average cost per client per treatment.
 31. The methodof claim 30, further comprising: creating reports including informationselected from two or more of specified time periods, usage, cost,operator, client, color, salon, chain of salons, manufacturer, product,product line, chair or booth renter, final usage, customer information,and average cost per client per treatment.
 32. The method of claim 30,wherein the blended mixture is selected from a group consisting of dyes,colorants, activators, base ingredients, additives, personal careproduct mixtures, beauty products, foods, and combinations thereof.